Do you know what VOC stands for? Neither do many Dutch people, concludes a committee commissioned by the government — even though it’s an integral part of Dutch colonial history.
The committee’s advice to the government? History lessons in schools must absolutely pay more attention to the history of Dutch colonialism, especially the former Dutch East Indies.
READ MORE | What was the VOC? The Dutch East India Company explained
History lessons
As RTL Nieuws reports, Dutch schools today are not technically required to teach about their country’s colonial past in Indonesia. As a result, how much is taught about this part of history greatly varies from school to school.
Especially given the fact that they like the minimize their role in colonialism. The Netherlands is considered one of the most “progressive” countries in the EU yet kids are taught nothing about role of the Dutch West India company and then there’s Zwarte Piet…
— Keisha Wiel 🇦🇼🇨🇼 (@BrilhanteAnthro) April 5, 2019
Shockingly, some schools pay (almost) no attention to it at all, the committee found. Why? Simply because “it’s not final exam material,” says history teacher Tim Koetsier, who consciously chooses to dedicate extra class time to the subject.
READ MORE | The life of the slaves in the Dutch colonies
“There are students who leave high school without any knowledge about this important piece of history. We shouldn’t want that,” he says.
Students in favour
Now, we know what you’re thinking: “kids nowadays don’t care for history anyways” — but the opposite is true.
READ MORE | Dutch King Willem-Alexander apologizes for use of excessive violence in Indonesia
Tim Koetsier’s students appreciate the extra attention given to the history of Dutch colonialism: “I find it very interesting because it’s about something that many people in our country have had to deal with,” a student tells RTL Nieuws.
A classmate adds: “We have to learn a lot about French history and China before our exam; but the Dutch East Indies is not mandatory material. Crazy, right?” Right.
So, government?
The special committee that investigated this cause, led by former Minister Jet Bussemaker, was commissioned by the Ministry of Health, to find out how knowledge about the Dutch colonial past can be increased.
Their conclusion: lessons about Dutch colonisation should be mandatory in all schools.
The government will discuss the committee’s findings and respond later today.
What do you think about these findings? Tell us in the comments.
